Overwatch 2's Illari: The Solar-Powered Support Hero Guide

Discover Illari, the powerful Peruvian hero in Overwatch 2's Season 6, blending solar energy mastery with healing and offensive prowess for an epic gameplay experience.

When Overwatch 2's Season 6 burst onto the scene, it brought with it a Peruvian powerhouse who literally harnesses the sun's energy. Illari, the game's first Peruvian hero, represents a fascinating blend of tragic backstory and devastating solar capabilities. This solar-weaving support hero arrived after Lifeweaver's movement-focused toolkit, bringing players back to a more healing-oriented playstyle—though she's definitely not lacking in offensive fireworks.

The Tragic Origin Story 🌞

Illari's childhood was consumed by training to join the prestigious Inti Warriors, noble defenders who mastered solar energy augmentation. Through years of rigorous training, she showed exceptional promise that ultimately became her curse. During the ritual that imbued new warriors with solar threading, Illari's latent power proved far greater than anyone anticipated. The ceremony unleashed a catastrophic blast that wiped out the entire Inti Warrior order, leaving Illari as the sole survivor tormented by guilt and isolation.

Now wandering alone as the last of her kind, she maintains ceaseless vigilance while continuing her training, a living reminder of what happens when great power meets tragic circumstances.

Illari's Arsenal: Solar Power Perfected

Solar Rifle: Dual-Purpose Destruction

Illari's primary weapon operates on a fascinating charge mechanic that separates the skilled from the spam-happy:

Primary Fire (Offensive Mode):

• Medium to long-range hitscan beam

• Requires 1-second charge between shots for maximum power

• 14-round magazine capacity

• Damage Values:

| Charge Level | Body Shot Damage |

|--------------|------------------|

| Full Charge | 75 damage |

| No Charge | 25 damage |

Secondary Fire (Healing Mode):

• Medium-range healing beam

• Restores 120 HP per second (double Mercy's healing!)

• Limited 3-second capacity before 3.5-second recharge

• Encourages burst healing rather than sustained streams

Healing Pylon: The Set-and-Forget Savior 🏥

This clever little device changes how Illari players approach positioning:

• 150 HP deployable turret

• Heals nearby allies for ~40 HP per second

• 15-meter maximum range

• Can stick to walls and ceilings (unlike Torbjorn's turret)

• Prioritizes allies with lowest health percentage

• No duration limit unless destroyed or deactivated

Outburst: Solar-Powered Mobility

Illari's movement ability offers both escape and positioning:

• Dash in current movement direction

• Knocks back nearby enemies

• Jump-holding increases height but reduces distance

• Less vertical mobility than Baptiste or Lifeweaver

• Crucial for maintaining space against divers

Captive Sun: The Ultimate Game-Changer ☀️

Illari's ultimate ability requires perfect timing but delivers devastating results:

• 4 seconds of free flight upon activation

• Launches slow-moving projectile with wide AoE

• 50 initial damage + Sunstruck condition application

• Sunstruck effects:

• 30% speed reduction (fades over 7 seconds)

• 90+ damage triggers 120 bonus explosion damage

• Explosion affects target and nearby allies

Masterful Timing: The Key to Solar Success ⏰

Illari's entire kit revolves around rhythm and anticipation. Her Solar Rifle demands patience between shots, while her healing beam requires careful energy management. The difference between a good Illari and a great one often comes down to:

🔥 Primary Fire Timing: Waiting that full second between shots maximizes damage output

💫 Healing Burst Management: Short, targeted healing bursts prevent energy depletion

🎯 Pylon Placement: Strategic positioning makes the difference between easily destroyed and game-changing

Ultimate Combos: Teamwork Makes the Sun Work 🌟

Illari's Captive Sun becomes truly terrifying when combined with certain heroes' ultimates:

Tank Synergies:

• Orisa: Terra Surge groups enemies → Sunstruck ensures guaranteed damage

• Zarya: Graviton Surge clusters enemies → Chain reaction explosions inevitable

• Sigma: Gravitic Flux after Sunstruck application → Slam damage triggers explosions

Damage Dealer Partnerships:

• Sombra: EMP disables cleanse abilities → Prevents Sunstruck removal

• Cassidy: Deadeye + Sunstruck = Guaranteed eliminations

• Reaper/Pharah: High-damage ultimates easily trigger Sunstruck explosions

Counters and Vulnerabilities: Knowing Your Weaknesses ️

Heroes Who Give Illari Trouble:

Tanks:

• D.Va (Defense Matrix eats Captive Sun)

• Winston (Barrier blocks Healing Pylon)

• Doomfist (Mobility matches Outburst)

Damage Heroes:

• Genji (Hard to hit, high burst damage)

• Echo (Flight bypasses pylon positioning, Duplicate ultimate)

Heroes Illari Dominates:

• Pharah (Hitscan pressure forces retreat)

• Tracer/Sombra (Vulnerable to accurate shots)

• Reinhardt (Pylon outranges hammer)

• Zenyatta (Large hitbox, no defenses)

Pro Tips for Solar Supremacy 🌅

1. Pylon Placement Priority: Always place your Healing Pylon in hard-to-reach spots—ceilings are your friend!

2. Rhythm Management: Develop a natural rhythm between healing bursts and weapon charges

3. Ultimate Timing: Wait for enemy grouping or combine with crowd control ultimates

4. Positioning Awareness: Use high ground and maintain distance from close-range specialists

5. Energy Conservation: Never let your healing beam fully deplete—short bursts are key

Illari represents one of Overwatch 2's most unique support designs, blending high-impact healing with satisfying offensive capabilities. While she may lack the flashy mobility of some supports, her strategic depth and game-changing ultimate make her a rewarding hero for players who value timing, positioning, and solar-powered destruction. Just remember: with great solar power comes great responsibility—and the potential to wipe out your entire order if you're not careful!